glhs837
Power with Control
Hmm, interesting article in the Enterprise today. Cliff notes.
1. Commissioner O'Conner does not support them. And he actually works for one of the biggest providers of such equipment in Maryland, Optotraffic. Whats funny is that his objections all appear to be financially based. He says they wont be financially viable unless they are teamed with speed cameras also. He is also reported to have said there are other ways to enforce traffic at intersections. An exact quote... If red light cameras are approved "Every taxpayer in the county should just reach into their pockets and pull out some money and write a check because that's whats going to happen. The programs systematically fail."
I do applaud his honestly. Do note, to him, the only factor spoken of is money. Because he knows you are not buying safety with these systems. The speed cams can still make money becuase you can set up in almost every school zone and shift the cameras around, reducing how much learning affects profit. So, his pitch is that the speed cameras would fund the red light cameras.
2. Commissioner Morgan, of course, continues to support the cameras. He mentions he has no problem doing speed cameras and red light cameras. To him, and I do believe him, this is all about safety. Would like to see him pledge that any excess revenue beyond system operations get refunded to the citizens to reduce the "Free money" aspect of this.
Given his personal situation, his position is understandable. I do wish someone would let him know that these systems do little to nothing to reduce distracted red light violators. And there is an increase in rear end collisions.
3. Sheriff says he does not support speed cameras, as they are seen as cash grabs. Which of course they are. Not sure why he sees that but does not see that RLCs are seen the same way. He also mentions they take a while to start operating "in the black". Does he phrase any other traffic enforcement action as to it operating in the black or red? That is a a telling statement. I'm still not sure about how he really feels. Some enforcement officials feel like our tlwdc, that they really dont care if it makes anyone safer, it's only ticketing lawbreakers, and making money, and that's good. Rear end collision data is ignored or blown off. Some, ones who dont look too deep, really think this is some magic bullet that does all it claims. I would like to think the Sheriff is not that ill informed, but I have not seen what data he used to make his choice to go for these.
1. Commissioner O'Conner does not support them. And he actually works for one of the biggest providers of such equipment in Maryland, Optotraffic. Whats funny is that his objections all appear to be financially based. He says they wont be financially viable unless they are teamed with speed cameras also. He is also reported to have said there are other ways to enforce traffic at intersections. An exact quote... If red light cameras are approved "Every taxpayer in the county should just reach into their pockets and pull out some money and write a check because that's whats going to happen. The programs systematically fail."
I do applaud his honestly. Do note, to him, the only factor spoken of is money. Because he knows you are not buying safety with these systems. The speed cams can still make money becuase you can set up in almost every school zone and shift the cameras around, reducing how much learning affects profit. So, his pitch is that the speed cameras would fund the red light cameras.
2. Commissioner Morgan, of course, continues to support the cameras. He mentions he has no problem doing speed cameras and red light cameras. To him, and I do believe him, this is all about safety. Would like to see him pledge that any excess revenue beyond system operations get refunded to the citizens to reduce the "Free money" aspect of this.
Given his personal situation, his position is understandable. I do wish someone would let him know that these systems do little to nothing to reduce distracted red light violators. And there is an increase in rear end collisions.
3. Sheriff says he does not support speed cameras, as they are seen as cash grabs. Which of course they are. Not sure why he sees that but does not see that RLCs are seen the same way. He also mentions they take a while to start operating "in the black". Does he phrase any other traffic enforcement action as to it operating in the black or red? That is a a telling statement. I'm still not sure about how he really feels. Some enforcement officials feel like our tlwdc, that they really dont care if it makes anyone safer, it's only ticketing lawbreakers, and making money, and that's good. Rear end collision data is ignored or blown off. Some, ones who dont look too deep, really think this is some magic bullet that does all it claims. I would like to think the Sheriff is not that ill informed, but I have not seen what data he used to make his choice to go for these.